Cloth-scouring machine



(No Model.)

J. W. STEELBROOKE. l CLOTH SGQURING MACHINE.

No. 500,626. Patented July 4, 1893.

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UNITED STATns JOSEPH W. STEELBROOKE, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

lCLOTH-econFunc MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 500,626, dated July 4, 1893.

' Application filed April 25, 1892. Serial No. 430,564. (No model.)

To all whom t may con/cern: Y

Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. STEEL- BROOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cloth Scouring, Rinsing, and Purifying Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, andexact description of the invention,Y

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for treating piece goods in which the several steps of scouring, rinsing, resoaping and purifying the cloth can be done at the same time by successive treatment, and on the same machine.

My improvements may be considered as relating to the invention described and shown in United States Letters Patent No. 446,937, issued in my name on the 24th day of February, 1891, and said improvements consist in providing the apparatus with brushes at certain points, and likewise inwthe mechanism by whichA said brushes are made to perform certain duties necessary to the more complete and thorough treatment of the goods in process, and further in other structural changes, whereby the apparatus can be rendered more eicient.

The drawings represent in Figure 1. a plan. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is an end View. Fig. 4. is a part plan view showing the operation of two reciprocating brushes. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the intermediary mechanism from one of the squeeze rolls to the reciprocating brushes.

To brieily allude to the apparatus shown in the patent above referred to, the more readily to understand the improvements contemplated in my invention, I would state that this apparatus is intended to conduct piece-cloth over spread rolls, and ina distended position in Urder to prevent wrinkles, and further to allow a free and even distribution of the liquor used in the treatment of the cloth through the latter. Said apparatus consists of a series of vats A. B. C. D within each vat are arranged a series of longitudinal rolls a a, b b,c c, el d about which the cloth is conducted. In the present instance I propose to extend the journal shafts outside the vats, and interconnect them by gear-wheels 2, 2, from some prime motor. In this Way no drag occurs upon the cloth and the latter is carried freely through. This plan I consideran advantage over a series of loose rolls, where the cloth itself causes their rotation as shown in myprevious patent.

At the ends of each vat are erected twin housings or standards E, E,in which are journaled squeeze rolls a' a2 0,3 b b2 h3 with the middle roll preferably a small one. These rolls are to operate inunison, the center roll serving as the driver and connecting with the gear wheels E', E2, E3. The shafts 3 of the drivers E2 are extended and furnished with a miter gear 4, while an interconnecting shaft 5 carrying other and co-operating wheels 6, 6, serve to form a train of mechanism by which all the squeeze rolls are actuated simultaneously and in a positive manner.

The vat A is where the Soaping occurs. The oily matter in the cloth, when it enters the vat is to be cut by the alkali, and hitherto the cloth after such treatment emerges from the vat and is passed directly between the squeeze rolls. At this time if the cloth is subjected to a rubbing process, the action of the alkali is increased and the grease is more thoroughly worked out of the fabric. Hence I have placed a fiat brush L transverselyl of the machine and so mounted it that reciprocations occur as the cloth passes thereunder. Preferably such reciprocations are produced by means of a spur gear 7 on the shaft 3 and similar interconnecting gear 7 affixed to the standard upon a short shaft 8 which carries a miter gear 9. Moreover a vertical shaft 1 0 is equipped with asimilar gear l2 meshing with the gear 9.' Upon the lower end of the shaft 10 is secured a circular plate 13, which acts as a crank disk to which is attached a connecting rod 14.. This latter operates the brush which is mounted in proper bearings; in the event of two brushes, as shown in Fig. 4: being used, a toothed wheel may be substituted and caused to mesh with a second wheel 15.

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Opposite reciprocations are to occur as indicated by the arrows. The outlets of the vats are shown at h and the shower-pipes at g.

The receiver I serves to catch and convey away the partially spent liquor squeezed from the cloth; while the bath-holder .I is to contain liquid by which the fabric is sweetened and cleansed. The cloth as it passes from the last vat D is to be now subjected to a cylinder brush 16, which revolves in direction of the head of the cloth. Said brush may be adjustable to cause it to bear more or less upon the cloth, and thus partially raise a nap. In any event it causes the external fibers to be all laid in the same direction, and the cloth after it has passed under this brush presents a more finished appearance. This brushis to have independent rotation preferably slightly faster than the travel of the cloth, by means of a belt 17 and suitable operating drums.

What I claim isl. In a cloth-cleansing machine, the combination with a vat, a series of rolls about which piece cloth is adapted to continuously7 travel, and a series of squeeze rolls, of one or more brushes adapted to reciprocate transversely of the cloth, and rub the surface of the latter prior to its passage between the rolls, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a cloth-cleansing machine the combination with a series of vats, eachof which is provided with a series of guide-rolls, and mechanism -for positively actuating them, of a series of squeezing rolls arranged above each vat, a driving shaft, positive interconnections between said shaft and the squeezing rolls to cause the latter to rotate in unison, and a brush adapted to reciprocate transversely over the cloth, the first vat of the series having a trough with a discharge pipe and the last vat of the series having a shower pipe discharging into said vat, with a nondischarging open-topped bath-holder, substantially as described.

3. In a cloth-cleansing machine the vat A provided with the open receiver having separate discharge from the vat, and one or'more reciprocating brushes above said vat, combined With the vat D having the shower-pipe g', and the nondischarging open-topped bathholder through which the cloth travels, a revoluble brush, the intermediary vats B. C. said vats being equipped interiorly with guiderolls positively actuated, and a series of squeeze rolls arranged above each vat and geared together, and positive interconnections to cause all of the said squeeze rolls to rotate in unison, substantially as stated.

4. A cloth-cleansing machine composed of the combination'of a series of vats having interior guide-rolls, the first vat A of the series provided with a trough,and a discharge pipe Separate from the vat, the last one D having a shower pipe and the non-discharging opentopped bath holder J, the intermediate vats B. C, a series of squeeze rolls above each vat, interconnecting mechanism which operates said rolls, in unison, one or more adjustable brushes adapted to reciprocate across the cloth, and a revoluble brush, with means for actuating said brushes substantially as eX- plained.

5. In a cloth cleansing machine, the combination with a vat a series of interior guiderolls about which the fabric is to pass, and a series of squeeze rolls with actuating mechanism therefor of one or more reciprocating brushes, and mechanism for positively operating them composed of a counter-shaft carrying spur and miter gears, an intermediary shaft having a miter-gear and a crank-disk which operates the connecting rod to the brush, substantially as and for purposes described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH W. STEELBROOKE.

Witnesses:

R. S. PARIsH, H. J. BARDWELL. 

